MMSD Completes First Round of Safe and Secure Building Upgrades

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has completed, or is nearing completion on, the first round of its safe and secure entrance upgrades. These entrances help front office staff control and monitor who enters the building, helping to increase the district’s safety measures. 

Upgrades at Aldo Leopold, Charles Lindbergh, John Muir and Paul J. Olson elementary schools have been completed, with Midvale Elementary currently under construction and slated for completion by the end of November. Construction at Velma B. Hamilton Middle School is scheduled to be done over winter break.

“The safety of our students and staff is a top priority,” said Sedric Morris Sr., executive director of safety and security. “These upgrades help increase MMSD’s safety practices and contribute to overall building security.”

Each of the schools that were part of the community-supported 2020 facilities referendum received secure, dedicated welcome centers; those part of the 2024 facilities referendum will, as well.

“We are excited to move this work forward,” said Scott Chehak, senior executive director of building services. “We will now have better access and better control of visitor, student and staff entry, which increases everyone’s peace of mind.”

Work on safe and secure entrance upgrades is expected to continue into the 2026–27 school year. In addition to those mentioned above, 12 MMSD schools will get safe and secure upgrades, including Emerson, Dr. Virginia Henderson, Lapham, Lincoln, Lowell, Marquette, Mendota, Randall, Herbert Schenk, and Shorewood Hills elementary schools, and Georgia O’Keeffe and Annie Greencrow Whitehorse middle schools.

To learn more about MMSD’s safe and secure entrances, and the other measures that guide its approach to school security, please visit the District Safety Plan on the MMSD website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

WisDOT Releases Draft Beltline Study Summary, Schedules Virtual Public Meeting

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is conducting a Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) study to identify potential long‑term solutions to address safety, accessibility, operational, and infrastructure concerns on approximately 20 miles of US 12/14/18/151 (Beltline) extending from US 14 (city of Middleton) to County N (town of Cottage Grove) in Dane County. The Draft Beltline PEL Study Summary Report has recently been published on the study website. The PEL Summary Report provides an overview of the work completed and conclusions reached during the study, including:

• Study Goal and Objectives
• Strategy Package Development
• Preferred Strategy Package
• Potential future National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Study sections and timing

An online copy of the Draft Beltline PEL Study Summary Report can be viewed at the following link: https://bit.ly/BeltlinePELReports.

A paper copy is available for viewing at the WisDOT Southwest Region Office, 2101 Wright Street, Madison WI by appointment only. Please contact me to schedule an appointment.

In addition, WisDOT will hold a virtual public involvement meeting to present and gather feedback on the Beltline PEL Study Summary Report and the Preferred Strategy Package.

The meeting will take place:

Thursday, December 4, 2025(Virtual)

Starting at 5:30 p.m.

Follow the link to join the meeting: https://youtube.com/live/UNfde7akG5U

or join by telephone (audio only):

608-571-2209

Conference ID: 730 552 401#

The meeting will include a pre-recorded presentation with the opportunity to ask questions. Please note that the Beltline PEL Study is a long-term planning study and no construction projects are identified at this time.

The public plays an important role in the study process, and we encourage residents and anyone that travels the Beltline to participate in the meeting to learn about the study, the Preferred Strategy Package, and the Draft Beltline PEL Study Summary Report, and to provide insights and feedback. The input received from this meeting will help shape the future of the Beltline.

A meeting handout and exhibits are available on the public involvement page of the study website. Please visit the study website at www.bit.ly/BeltlinePEL. The presentation video will be uploaded following the meeting. If you have any questions, or if you are unable to attend the meeting and would like to find out more about the study, please feel free to contact Jeff Berens, Major Studies Project Manager, (608) 245-2656.

State Report Cards Highlight Continued Growth in MMSD Schools

MADISON, Wis.—Today, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released its annual report cards for the 2024–25 school year. The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) earned an overall rating of three stars, with a score of 69.8. 

MMSD is, by far, the largest and most diverse district in Dane County, serving more than 25,000 students (16,559 more than the second-largest Dane County district, Sun Prairie Area). Of those students, 46.1% are identified as economically disadvantaged (compared to 9.3% in Waunakee Area Community and 17.2% in Middleton-Cross Plains Area school districts) and 21.4% are English learners (compared to 14.1% in Verona Area and 2.6% in Oregon school districts). For a complete listing of ratings/scores and demographic information for all Dane County districts, please click here.

The majority of MMSD schools met, exceeded, or significantly exceeded expectations. Notably, all four of MMSD’s comprehensive high schools earned ratings of four stars (“Exceeds Expectations”), with East, Robert M. La Follette, Vel Phillips Memorial and West achieving overall scores of 82.0, 72.0, 78.8 and 78.1, respectively.

High School	Enrollment	Overall Score	Rating (Stars/Performance vs. Expectations)
East	1,643	82.0	4 Stars/Exceeds
La Follette	1,541	72.0	4 Stars/Exceeds
Memorial	2,004	78.8	4 Stars/Exceeds
West	2,222	78.1	4 Stars/Exceeds
Belleville	275	70.2	3 Stars/Meets
De Forest	1,137	76.4	4 Stars/Exceeds
Marshall	281	67.2	3 Stars/Meets
McFarland	727	74.8	4 Stars/Exceeds
Middleton	2,303	86.8	5 Stars/Significantly Exceeds
Monona Grove	1,170	79.0	4 Stars/Exceeds
Mount Horeb	745	81.5	4 Stars/Exceeds
Oregon	1,339	85.1	5 Stars/Significantly Exceeds
Stoughton	834	73.0	4 Stars/Exceeds
Sun Prairie East	1,340	76.0	4 Stars/Exceeds
Sun Prairie West	1,325	78.7	4 Stars/Exceeds
Verona Area	1,820	80.3	4 Stars/Exceeds
Waunakee	1,335	80.5	4 Stars/Exceeds
Wisconsin Heights	238	88.6	5 Stars/Significantly Exceeds

“MMSD continues to make meaningful progress in our students’ academic growth,” said Superintendent Joe Gothard. “We are committed to finding ways to strengthen teaching and learning while supporting all of our scholars, so they can be successful at whatever they choose to do, whether it’s college or career.” 

Because DPI updated how scores are calculated this year, districts are asked to treat the overall scores in this year’s report cards as a new baseline, meaning that they should not be compared to previous years. An exception is the overall score for Growth, which measures student progress on statewide tests, and according to DPI, “uses a value-added model that seeks to control for circumstances beyond the influence of educators.” 

In this area, MMSD improved 1.9 percentage points, or 2.9%, scoring the same or better than 91.8% of other Wisconsin districts, showing that, per DPI, “on average students in the district are progressing more quickly than other, similar students.”

MMSD high school students also outpaced their statewide peers in terms of participation in: 

• Advanced Placement courses (30.8% vs. 20.3%)
• Art and design courses (32.8% vs. 27.0%) 
• Dance (1.2% vs. 0.4%) and theater courses (3.3, vs. 1.8%)

MMSD’s overall scores were as follows: 

• Achievement: 61.0
• Growth: 76.5
• Target Group Outcomes: 63.7
• On-Track to Graduation: 73.4 

Across Dane County, two school districts earned five stars, 11 earned four stars, and two (including MMSD) received three stars. Numerical scores ranged from 69.8 to 84.6. 

“We are encouraged by the demonstrated growth that this report shows, particularly as we move further past the pandemic and our scholars progress in fully readjusting to in-classroom learning,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “With a strong educational foundation and support and guidance from our world-class educators, our Madison students will continue to learn, grow and thrive.”

In total, two MMSD schools achieved ratings of “Significantly Exceeds Expectations”; 19 “Exceeds Expectations”; 19 “Meets Expectations”; six “Meets Few Expectations”; and one “Fails to Meet Expectations.” Six schools participated in the Alternate Rating process, five of which scored “Satisfactory” progress, with one scoring “Needs Improvement.”

Report cards are released each fall under state law, as part of Wisconsin’s school accountability system. Schools and districts receive a star rating, from one to five stars, based on their overall score. Ratings are determined across four priority areas identified by the Department of Public Instruction: achievement, growth, target group outcomes, and on-track to graduation. 

All MMSD report cards are available to view on the MMSD website. 

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Capitol Bank Welcomes Theresa Heintz as AVP of Treasury Management & Business Development

Capitol Bank is proud to announce that Theresa Heintz has joined as Assistant Vice President of Treasury Management & Business Development. Theresa joins Capitol Bank with over 20 years of banking experience across a variety of roles and leadership responsibilities.  

“Theresa embodies our People and Relationships first values,” said Justin Hart, CEO. “Adding her business acumen to both our East and West locations presents a tremendous resource for our clients.” 

Outside of the office, Theresa volunteers with the Bed Lady program, providing mattresses to Sun Prairie schoolchildren in need, and serves on a committee with Dane County Habitat for Humanity. She lives with her husband, two sons, and three pets in Sun Prairie. 

About Capitol Bank: Capitol Bank, locally owned and operated, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work, and do business. We are proud of the partnerships we have established with organizations, businesses, and individuals in the Greater Madison area. Our philosophy of community support is demonstrated at the corporate level, as well as in the time and energy our employees devote to our community each year. Capitol Bank is Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

West High School’s Jules Da Costa Named Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County Youth of the Year

MADISON, Wis.—Jules Da Costa, a student at the Madison Metropolitan School District’s (MMSD) West High School, has been named the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County Youth of the Year, the organization’s highest honor for Club members. 

“Jules embodies the qualities we hope to see in all young people: dedication, courage and a willingness to lift others as they pursue their goals,” said Superintendent Joe Gothard. “We are proud to see an MMSD student recognized for this prestigious honor.”

Every year, the award recognizes a young leader who has demonstrated exceptional character, academic achievement, leadership and community involvement.

This year, all four finalists were students from MMSD, underscoring the district’s commitment to supporting student growth through programs such as Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)/Teens of Promise (TOPS) and year-round Boys & Girls Clubs initiatives. 

“For years, I let other people’s narrative of me dictate my story, but through AVID, I learned to write my own,” Jules said. “I learned to step out of my shell, advocate for myself and collaborate with others—skills that will carry me far in life.”

Many MMSD students participate in AVID and TOPS through support at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, where the Clubs provide mentorship, community, and additional resources that help students apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world experiences.

The other finalists, all seniors, were:

• Raul Amaya, East High School: A four-year Club member and aspiring biologist who will attend UW-Madison. Raul says AVID gave him a community to share his voice, build confidence, and prepare for a future in the medical field.
• Kevin Portillo-Bazoria, Vel Phillips Memorial High School: A six-year Club member planning to study architecture at UW-Madison. Kevin cites his family’s immigrant experience and AVID/TOPS as sources of resilience, organization, and motivation to pursue his goals.
• Christian Rubio Robledo, Robert. M. La Follette High School: A six-year Club member planning to attend UW-Madison to study neuroscience. Christian credits AVID and the Club with helping him persevere through challenges and develop the skills and determination to give back to others.

Also recognized was West junior Atavia Johnson, who was named the Junior Youth of the Year winner for her outstanding work in both the classroom and community. 

“We are immensely proud of all our Youth of the Year finalists,” said Michael Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County. “Each student demonstrated remarkable determination and shared their stories with courage and pride. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible—especially our Youth of the Year sponsors—for their generous support of the outstanding AVID/TOPS program.”

The winner was announced at a ceremony that took place on the evening of Friday, Nov. 7, and raised more than $170,000 to support the AVID/TOPS program.

For more information on the Youth of the Year program, please visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County website. For information regarding AVID programming within MMSD, please visit the district’s website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County

BGCDC is a local not-for-profit youth development organization serving thousands of youths in multiple locations, including four school-based sites and four traditional Club sites, including the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center. The Clubs inspire kids to dream big and provide them with the essential skills they need to succeed at a crucial time in their lives, offering impactful programs in five key areas: Character & Leadership Development; Education & Career Development; Health & Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. See the impact they make in the life of each Club member here: www.bgcdc.org.